Compact limb prosthesis system and method

A compact self-contained joint for a human prosthesis limb system, the compact self-contained joint comprising:

• a frame comprising proximate and distal frame members, wherein the proximate frame member further comprises a human interface portion, and the distal frame member further comprises an artificial prosthetic appendage interface portion;
• a hinge coupled between the proximate and distal frame members such that the human interface portion of the proximate frame member and the artificial prosthetic appendage interface portion of the distal frame member are relatively rotatable along a pivot axis when the proximate and distal frame members are rotated between a straightened state and a bent state;
• a cam member having an adjustable range of rotation relative to the frame, the cam member comprising an interior mounting aperture structured for mounting between the proximate frame member and the distal frame member along the pivot axis and having a peripheral cam surface;
• an interlock mechanism operable between the cam member and one of the proximate and distal frame members;
• at least one elongated elastic cord member comprising a relatively elastic portion between relatively rigid first and second end portions and substantially continuous therewith;
• a first retainer positioned on the cam member and structured for retaining one end of an elongated elastic cord member relative to the peripheral cam surface of the cam member;
• a second retainer structured for retaining an elongated elastic cord member relative to the distal frame member.

A compact self-contained joint portion for a human prosthesis limb system, the compact self-contained joint portion comprising:

• a frame comprising hingably rotatable upper and lower frame members;
• an upper human interface coupled to the upper frame member proximate to a human user and configured for coupling with a remainder of the user's natural human limb closer to the user's body than a previous location of a missing joint thereof;
• a lower artificial prosthetic appendage interface coupled to the lower frame member distal from the user's body and configured for coupling with an artificial prosthetic foot or other artificial prosthetic appendage intended to replace the user's missing human limb normally residing beyond the missing joint distal from the user's body;
• a hinge coupled between the upper and lower frame members such that the proximate human interface portion and the distal artificial prosthetic appendage interface portion are rotatably movable with respect one to an other along a pivot axis when the upper and lower frame members are hingably rotated between a straightened state and a bent state;
• a cam member that is rotatable relative to one of the upper and lower frame members at least within an adjustable range of knee flexion effect, the cam member comprising an interior mounting aperture structured for mounting between the upper frame member and the lower frame member along the pivot axis, the cam member comprising a groove formed in an outer periphery thereof;
• an anti-rotation interlock mechanism operable between the cam member and the frame for interlocking the cam member in a plurality of different relative rotational positions between the cam member and the frame member;
• at least one elongated elastic cord member comprising a relatively elastic portion between relatively rigid first and second end portions and substantially continuous therewith, wherein at least the relatively elastic portion of the cord member being sized to be received into the groove formed in an outer periphery of the cam member;
• a first retainer positioned on the cam member and structured for retaining one end of an elongated elastic cord member to the cam member within the groove in the outer periphery thereof;
• a second retainer structured for retaining an elongated elastic cord member relative to the lower frame member.